Have you ever prayed for something and it just seemed to take too long? I got myself caught up in that feeling recently, even though I knew better. Happens to the best of us. Our human nature is very demanding and it’s patience wears thin. It wants what it wants when it wants it! We have to use temperance and self-control, and a good dose of the Holy Spirit, to keep our human “I want it now!” desire in check.

Waiting for what we want, be it a response or a change in our lives, particularly during times of difficulty is hard. We don’t see nor do we have the patience for personal growth and God’s plan in the midst of it. We lose sight of what God sees—things that need to be fixed or removed in our hearts in the middle of the mess. Then we take things into our own hands.

We know the story of Abraham and Sarah who wanted a child so badly. God told them they would have a son, but He took too long for them. So they came up with their own plan to get a son faster. They used Sarah’s servant. But what a mess they made. There was bitterness, jealousy, nagging, heartaches and stress. And, because they interfered with God’s plan, they ended up waiting longer. (Genesis 16)

Their choice to do things their way and not wait, rippled throughout the remainder of their lives and even impacted their children and their legacy. Rarely do our choices only affect us. They are like the ripples we see in a stream when we toss a rock into it. The waves splash on those around us. We need to trust that God will answer our prayers. He knows the desires of our hearts; but He also knows what lies down the road—the things we cannot see.

Abraham and Sarah learned the hard way that God’s way is always the best. His timing is always right. His plan always works. He will provide better than what we ask for if we wait and follow His plan.

Is there something you’ve been praying for but it just seems so far away? Are you tempted to take matters into your own hands and make it happen? Stop! See the wisdom in how Daniel approached the Lord to plead for Him not to release His wrath on Jerusalem. He pleaded in prayer and petition, in fasting, confessing how awesome God is. He also confessed their sins and asked for forgiveness and mercy.

David didn’t know when God would answer, but he didn’t try to take matters into his own hands. While praying, the angel Gabriel came and told him that God heard him as soon as he began to pray. How encouraging! Even though you don’t see the answer yet, God hears you as soon as you begin to pray. So trust in His process and not in your own. He knows what you need.

“Now, our God, hear the prayers and the petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, Lord, look with favor on Your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people bear Your Name.” Daniel 9:18-19

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

Prayer

Lord,

Your Word says that love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; it is not arrogant. You hear my prayers and You know my thoughts. There is no reason for me to be anxious about anything because You are my Shepherd; watching over me and leading me. Give me strength to be patient and wait on You; strength to sit still and know that You are God. I lay my pride down, along with any jealousy and arrogance that I may be tempted with to make things happen on my own. I trust You and will wait for You. I will praise and rejoice in You, because with You all things are possible. Amen!

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Google Doc

Noise is getting on my last nerve. What about you? The television is going, the cell phone is dinging (I know I can turn off notifications, but then I won’t know when I’m being notified!), everyone’s talking, and yes, there is an annoying bird squawking right outside my bedroom window. It seems hard to escape the noise and find a quiet place.

Real confession. I am prone to escape to the closet or the bathroom to find peace, and yes, to even have a meeting! And this doesn’t even begin to cover all the noise going on in my head—planning, organizing—you know the drill. It’s no wonder we sometimes feel like we can’t hear the Holy Spirit. How often people have said to me, “I can’t hear the Holy Spirit speak. He doesn’t speak to me.”

He’s speaking, my friend. Perhaps you can’t hear Him for all the noise in your life. Perhaps you can’t hear Him because it’s hard to listen for His voice through your anxieties and fears. Just like you make time for work, school, family and recreation, you have to make better use of your time with Him.

How do you do that? By seeking times of solitude, time when you can sit in stillness and quiet. What you do in that solitude is so important. We need to train our minds to keep still and shut off the noise in our heads and all around us, all those thoughts that just bombard the quiet. Trust that the Lord is waiting to meet you in that still place.

Jesus demonstrated the tremendous value of pulling away for some alone time with the Lord. It was during that time that He received sustenance, strength and direction. In those moments, He poured out His heart to the Lord and He listened. Even His prayer time was richer because He dedicated that quiet time to the Lord.

Here’s a challenge. This week, commit to finding time of solitude each day. Stick to it as much as you can. Seek that peace that comes only through being with Jesus. Ask Him into your prayer time, and then listen. Write in a journal what He shares with you and how long you spent in solitude. At the end of the week, go over your notes, and see what changes occurred. You may be very surprised!

St. Augustine asked,

“to what purpose are we emphatically commanded to ‘be still?’ We are commanded to be still so that we may see that God would say, ‘I am God. That is, not you, but I am God. I created, I create anew; I formed, I form anew; I made, I make anew.’”

Prayer

Jesus,

I will not fret or worry. Instead of worrying, I will pray. I will let petitions and praises shape my worries into prayers, letting You know my concerns. Before I know it, a sense of Your wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle me down. It’s wonderful what happens when You displace worry at the center of my life. Throw wide the gates so good and true people can enter. People with their minds set on You, You keep completely whole, steady on their feet, because they keep at it and don’t quit. May You, the Master of Peace, give me the gift of getting along with others at all times, in all ways. May You, my Master, be truly with me! Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; see for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong—then guide me on the road to eternal life. Quiet my thoughts. Give me the strength to sit still and to know that You alone are God. Let me experience Your peace, that surpasses all understanding. Let Your joy be my strength. Amen!


Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

Google Doc

Need a pick me up or a boost to keep going? We can all use some good thoughts, some positive affirmations and a few “lift me ups.” In a conversation with a friend the other day, she was listing down all the crazy situations she was facing in her life. One thing after another came racing out of her mouth. When she finally took a deep breath, she said, “Is there anything positive ever going to happen? I can’t find anything good.”

It was easy to understand why she felt that way. She had health issues, job issues, family issues and more. It was going to take time to pull her off her mountain, so I went to the Word. (When in a state of doubt or belief, the Word has good things to lift our spirits.) For all of you who may be struggling and need encouragement, I have a great word for you. For those of you who just want encouragement to keep persevering, this word is for you too. Let’s drop the mic on the enemy!

“Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me.
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death and crowns me with Love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly.

The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to anger and filled with unfailing love.
He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.
He does not punish us for all our sins;
He does not deal harshly with us as we deserve.
For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
The Lord is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him.

For He knows how weak we are; He remembers we are only dust.
Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
The wind blows and we are gone—as though we had never been here.
But the love of the Lord remains forever with those who fear Him.
His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to His covenant, of those who obey His commandments!

“Let all that I am praise the Lord!” Psalm 103:2-18, 22

Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about: Good things!!

Prayer

Jesus,

You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. To You, Lord, I call; You are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if You remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit. Hear my cry for mercy as I call to You for help, as I lift up my hands toward Your Most Holy Place. Praise be to You, for You have heard my cry for mercy. You are my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in You, and You help me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise You. You are the strength of Your people, a fortress of salvation for Your anointed one. Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; be our shepherd and carry us forever. Amen!


Photo by Joes Valentine on Unsplash

Google Doc

Years ago, we went to a festival in the park. There were artists, food vendors and music. As I strolled around, I came across some eye catching artwork depicting the Garden of Eden and Creation. Flowing through the garden was this peaceful, welcoming river. As I stared at the painting, I could imagine sitting peacefully there listening to the water flowing. “A river watering the garden flowed from Eden; from there it was separated into four headwaters.” (Genesis 2:9-10)

As I think about the busyness of life and the craziness of the past year, my heart longs for a place to just be. A place where all cares drift away and you can sit in peace. You can lay back in the cool grass, smelling the sweet fragrance of flowers and fruit trees. No troubles are here, no incessant chatter, no worries are here.

This is the perfect place where your mind is free and relaxed, and your heart is free and open. It is by the river where you can empty yourself of the world’s pressures and dig your toes into the soft ground. If you are still long enough, if you wait patiently, you’ll hear the footsteps of Jesus approaching. He sits with you, listens to your heart, and speaks life into you.

You see, this place is holy and the Lord dwells here. “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.” (Psalm 46:4) He sits by the river every day waiting for you. The sun is never too hot and the breeze is never too cold. The water is cool to the touch and like honey to the taste. He’s always available to walk or sit with you.

I understand what David meant when he said, “He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul” in Psalm 23. There are no storms and dashing waves by the river, just peace. David knew the importance of taking time to be with the Lord alone by the waters because our souls get weary and need to be restored, filled by the mighty hand of the Lord.

My friends, we all need some time by the river. Time to meet with Jesus and empty our souls of the weariness and busyness of this life. Although the garden of Eden is no longer here on earth, we have the Holy Spirit to lead us to the river, right to Jesus.

Whatever you’re feeling right now or whatever you may be facing, take a moment to break away and go to the river. You can get there through praise, through worship, through meditating on the Word, or through prayer. You can go alone or take a friend. But however you decide, just go. You will be filled to overflowing, spilling out over others. You’ll be encouraged and strengthened.

So if you are looking for me, you’ll find me by the river sitting with Jesus. Come join me! And then when He returns, we will sit with Him together face to face.

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding the fruit every month.” Revelation 22:1-2

“On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer.” Acts 16:13

“Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:38

Prayer

Jesus,

As the deer pants for the water, so my soul longs after You. Blessed is the one who trusts in You, whose confidence is in You. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Lord search my heart and examine my mind, reward me according to my conduct, according to what my deeds deserve. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Amen!


Photo by Ladyfern Photos on Unsplash

Goggle Doc

Sharon was fed up! She asked Michael several times not to track the dirt in the house when he came home from work. Especially on her new floors. What did he do when he came in? He never stopped for a moment to take off his shoes and clumped through the house leaving a trail of mud. She exploded and gave him a piece of her mind. She then stormed out of the house fuming and by the time she got to the pharmacy, she was boiling. The sales clerk couldn’t find her order, so Sharon gave her a piece of her mind too.

Can you identify? How many times have you seen or heard someone giving another person a piece of their mind? Although we don’t know where that phrase comes from, we do know what it means. It means you angrily let someone know exactly how you feel about something in no uncertain terms, not caring how it makes the other person feel.

It’s pretty bold of the mouth to give a piece of the mind away. Since when is the mouth the dictator of our actions? Unfortunately, it’s the day we gave it full reign over our actions. “The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue is also a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire.” (James 3:5-6)

Yet with this small part of our body, we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. (James 3:9)

The Bible tells us to guard our thoughts and our mind. We shouldn’t give pieces of it away under any circumstances. As I thought about that, I realized that when we give others a piece of our minds, we are actually giving away our peace and disrupting theirs. No matter the situation, we can’t let the enemy steal our peace, influence our thoughts, and control our tongues.

Today, with the pressures of the pandemic and the political and social issues constantly in the forefront, it’s easy to get pulled into negativity and depression. It’s easy for us to use our words to harm and not to encourage. It’s time to slow down and take back control from the tongue. We need to think before we speak and let the Holy Spirit guide us to know when to be quiet and when to speak.

It’s time to dust off the nine fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. If we practice these fruits, we will have better interactions with our neighbors and our family. The tongue won’t dictate our actions and we will have peace of mind. Let’s pray for more self-control, more discernment and the ability to capture our thoughts and our tongues.

“The word of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1

Prayer

Jesus,

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with people who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies! Let me be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. With the fruit of the Holy Spirit I will be able to show myself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in my speaking show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about me. Therefore, prepare my mind for action, and being sober-minded, I will set my hope fully on the grace that will be brought to me at the revelation of You, my King, Jesus Christ. As an obedient child, I will not be conformed to the passions of my former ignorance, but as You who called me is holy, I also will be holy in all my conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” I will bring You glory, honor, and praise all the days of my life. Amen!


Photo by Alexandra Mirgheș on Unsplash

Google Doc

Sometimes we heap great praise on people who do great things. It’s giving honor and praise to a person who has accomplished something extraordinary, like developing a new cure for cancer or doing some great feat like athletics. Our praise can go to such heights that we place the person far beyond any others, almost “putting someone on a pedestal” or exalting him or her.

“Exalt”, a word that isn’t used much in our everyday language, but has tremendous meaning. It’s a little word that’s bold and means “lift up or lift up high.” While it can be used to describe human actions, it’s usually used in the context of worship. Think of it as a level above praise, the highest honor. While there is no problem praising others for their accomplishments or talents, trouble comes when we exalt someone with the same praise we normally reserved for the Lord.

Today, I challenge us to step back and think about who we exalt. Are we inadvertently lifting up someone to the same level as the Father and His Son? Are we giving someone supernatural credit as though whatever they do or say is right, even when they aren’t? Remember, we are all humans, even those who can do extraordinary things. Those talents come from the Lord.

It is only the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit that should be exalted, lifted high and praised with the highest heavenly honors. Why? It’s because there is no one in heaven or on earth who loves us unconditionally, who protects us, who saves and redeems us, who sacrifices and forgives us as they do. All praise, glory and honor belong to the Lord. He is a jealous God with His people, and rightfully so.

Take a grateful moment to think of all He has done for you. You woke up this morning with a fresh opportunity to lift Him up, and that’s a good reason to exalt Him. David wrote many songs of praise and worship in Psalms that are great examples of how to glorify and magnify the Lord’s name. In the meantime, come magnify the Lord with me today. Let’s exalt His name and no other forever. Taste and see that the Lord is good, for blessed is he or she who hides in Him. He will give you everything. Let’s give Him never ending praise.

“I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak His praises. I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart. Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt His name together.

I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; He saved me from all my troubles.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him! Fear the Lord, you His godly people, for those who fear Him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.” Psalm 34:1-6, 8-10

Prayer

Jesus,

I will exalt You, my God the King; I will praise Your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise You and extol Your name for ever and ever. Great are You and most worthy of praise; Your greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends Your works to another; they tell of Your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty—and I will meditate on Your wonderful works. They tell of the power of Your awesome works—and I will proclaim Your great deeds. They celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness. You are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. You are good to all; You have compassion on all You have made. All Your works praise You, Lord; Your faithful people extol You. They tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might, so that all people may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your kingdom. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all generations. You are trustworthy in all Your promises and faithful in all You do. You uphold all who fall and lift up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. You are righteous in all Your ways and faithful in all You do. You are near to all who call on You, to all who call on You in truth. You fulfill the desires of those who fear You; You hear their cry and save them. You watch over all who love You, but all the wicked You will destroy. My mouth will speak in praise of You. Let every creature praise Your holy name for ever and ever. Amen!


Photo by John Price on Unsplash

Google Doc

There are days when we wish we could run to a place of safety, away from the troubles of life and the arrows of the enemy. We do get weary of the pandemic, “breaking news,” and opinions passed off as truth. It would be so easy to throw up our hands in utter hopelessness. But praise God for our refuge. That place of peace, comfort and wisdom. That place where we hear a voice of love, kindness and grace. Listen to this passage. Then fall into God’s arms of refuge.

1-13 You who sit down in the High God’s presence,
    spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow,
Say this: “God, you’re my refuge.
    I trust in you and I’m safe!”
That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps,
    shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you—
    under them you’re perfectly safe;
    his arms fend off all harm.
Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night,
    not flying arrows in the day,
Not disease that prowls through the darkness,
    not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around,
    drop like flies right and left,
    no harm will even graze you.
You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance,
    watch the wicked turn into corpses.
Yes, because God’s your refuge,
    the High God your very own home,
Evil can’t get close to you,
    harm can’t get through the door.
He ordered his angels
    to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they’ll catch you;
    their job is to keep you from falling
You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes,
and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

14-16 “if you’ll hold on to me for dear life,” says God,
“I’ll get you out of trouble.
I’ll give you the best of care
If you’ll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I’ll answer, be at your side in bad times;
I’ll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I’ll give you a long life,
give you a long drink of salvation!” Psalm 91 (The Message)

Prayer

Jesus,

O Most High, whoever dwells in Your shelter will rest in Your shadow, my Almighty King. I will say of You, “Jesus is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely You will save me from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. You will cover me with Your feathers, and under Your wings I will find refuge; Your faithfulness will be my shield and rampart. I will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at my side, ten thousand at my right hand, but it will not come near me. I will only observe with my eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked. I will raise a hallelujah and praise You, “You are my refuge,” and I make You, O Most High, my dwelling, no harm will overtake me, no disaster will come near my home. Because I love You, You will rescue me; You will protect me, for I acknowledge Your name. I call on You, and You answer me; You are with me in trouble, You deliver me and honor me. With long life You satisfy me and show me Your salvation. All praise be to You my King! Amen!


Photo by Luke Tanis on Unsplash

Google Doc

“Hallelujah” is an exclamation of worship or a call to praise. It comes from a Hebrew phrase that means “Praise the Lord.” It’s a joyful expression of praise and thanksgiving to God. Honestly, a Hallelujah should be on our lips every day for all the Lord has done and is doing for us. But sometimes it’s hard to find your Hallelujah or even remember you had it.

Have you ever gotten up in the morning and found it so difficult to face the day? Have troubles and worries from the night before spilled over into your new day? Has bitterness crept into your attitude and choked out any hope or light? You’ve lost your Hallelujah. It may be under your bed or hiding in a dark corner, forgotten and neglected. Only you can find it and bring it into the light.

Satan not only steals our hallelujahs, but he snatches and hides them. He fills our minds with so much stuff—can’ts, not good enoughs, not worthy, hopelessness and doubt. And don’t forget his favorite one, fear. If he can keep our minds on our troubles and our lacks and fill them with these other things, our hallelujahs can all but disappear. Hallelujahs bring joy and hope. He knows the encouragement they bring, and he surely doesn’t want that for us.

Think about the last time you really raised a Hallelujah for Jesus. What were you doing? Where were you? Music is one of my favorite ways to raise a Hallelujah. Not only is the melody moving, but lifting up the words of praise are so freeing. Perhaps you raised yours during a message or while reading the Word. Maybe it came during prayer or private time with the Lord. Just thinking about that last time invokes feelings of joy.

There are many reasons we may lose our hallelujahs, but the reasons aren’t important. What’s important is that we get up and go find them. Not only is there joy and encouragement in them, but praise brings down the sweet rain of the Holy Spirit. In that rain are blessings and victory and breakthroughs.

It’s time to break out your light and shine it in the corners, shine it in the closets and under the bed. Put on a full court press to find your Hallelujah and don’t stop until you find it. Kick depression, loneliness, sickness, fear, worry and doubt in the face, even if you don’t have much strength. I guarantee that once you find your Hallelujah and you raise it up, all the negativity of life rolls away and becomes less important. Praising the Lord has a wonderful way of strengthening us and filling us with an outpouring from the Lord.

So raise a Hallelujah, even if you don’t feel like it. In fact, especially if you don’t feel like it. Jesus deserves all you’ve got and then some. It’s in your praise that you meet Him spirit to Spirit.

“For God is great, and worth a thousand Hallelujahs.” Psalm 96:4 (MSG)

“Hallelujah! You who serve God, praise God! Just to speak His name is praise! Just to remember God is a blessing--now and tomorrow and always. From east to west, from dawn to dusk, keep lifting all your praises to God!” Psalm 113:1-3 (MSG)

Prayer

Jesus,

I will rejoice in You always. I will let my gentleness be evident to all. I will not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, I will present my requests to You. And Your peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and my mind. I have my hallelujah and I will raise Your name because whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—I will think about such things. Hallelujah! Amen!


Photo by Brett Jordan from Pexels

Google Doc

“As the time approached for Him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. And He sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for Him; but the people there did not welcome Him, because He was heading for Jerusalem.” Luke 9:51-53

Sometimes you run across a word you don’t hear much, but has such deep meaning. That happened when I came across this Scripture. The word, “resolutely” stopped me cold. After reading the definition, I realized how critical this word should be in living out our lives and determining what is truly important. It screams, “stay focused.” In case you’re wondering what resolute means, it’s being admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering. Powerful words.

You have to look at Jesus to understand what living resolutely means. In the Scripture above, Jesus knew His time was getting close before He would return to heaven, fulfilling the reason why He was sent to earth. So He purposefully, and with determination set out for Jerusalem, the place the Lord was sending Him. He was unwavering in getting there.

Even though Jewish people always went around Samaria when they traveled (they had a firm dislike for Samaritans and wouldn't go near them), Jesus sent His messengers into a Samaritan village to get things for Him. He didn’t care about traditions, discriminatory ideology, or what people thought. The most direct route to Jerusalem was through Samaria, and Jesus was focused on the goal ahead of Him.

Jesus lived His entire life resolutely. He had one purpose and everything He did and said reflected that purpose. No matter the temptations, the circumstances or the trials, Jesus remained resolute to accomplish what the Father had given Him to do. His life also described the qualities of His relationship with the Father: purposeful, determined, and unwavering.

We make things so complicated trying to discover what our purpose is. It’s really simple: to love God with all our hearts, our minds, our souls, our strength and to love each other as we love ourselves. If we resolutely followed those two commands every day, in everything we do whether at home, at work, or in our communities, our lives would change for the better.

The Savior knew that He was going to heaven, and that affected His entire journey through life: the choices He made day by day, His relationships, and how He spent his time and his money.

He was on mission. He had a job to complete, and a purpose to fulfill—the completion of our redemption. His ascent into heaven was our guarantee that there was a place for the faithful sons and daughters of God. He swung open the doors wide so that we can all enter in.

Are you resolute in your purpose, unwavering to the mission you’ve been given? How much our lives would change if we lived with the same purpose and acted it out in every aspect of our lives. How often do we give up, waver or act double minded? How often do we lose our determination or forget what our purpose truly is?  Look to Jesus who gave us His life as an example. Resolutely follow Him. He was faithful, loyal, steadfast, and firm. We should be no less.

Prayer

Jesus,

Your Word says that He who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness and honor. I pursue You, my righteousness. Through You I find the strength to be admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering in my pursuit of loyalty to You. May everything I do and the words that speak bring the honor that You so richly deserve. Yahweh, You are my God, the faithful God who keeps His gracious covenant loyalty for a thousand generations with those who love You and keep Your commands. Who will separate me from the Messiah’s love? Can trouble, distress, persecution, hunger, nakedness, danger, or a violent death do this? As it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long. We are thought of as sheep headed for slaughter.” In all these things I am triumphantly victorious due to the One who loves me. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor anything above, nor anything below, nor anything else in all creation can separate me from the love of God that is mine in union with You, my Messiah Jesus, my Lord. Your love, mercy, and grace are admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering towards me. Therefore, I will lift up Your name. Jesus, I will raise a hallelujah for You are worthy to be praised! AMEN!


Photo by Fionn Claydon on Unsplash

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Alicia was such an interesting person, a great friend and a wonderful daughter. Everywhere she went she brought a smile and kind word. Her co-workers looked to her for encouragement and she made the workplace sane. Her two best friends loved hanging out with her because she was so full of fun and laughter. Alicia’s family got excited every time she visited. She was the red shiny apple of the family.

On the surface, Alicia was the best friend you’ve always wanted, full of good energy and love; but inside, at her core, Alicia had a hidden worm that ate at her insides. On the outside she was that really red, shiny apple you can’t wait to take home. It looks perfect until you cut it in half and see it has a nasty worm inside spoiling the fruit.

For many years, Alicia carried a deep scar in her heart that over time grew and turned into a worm that constantly, secretly ate away at her goodness. She didn’t really know it was that bad. It started as distrust and went to dislike, eventually landing on hatred. The hatred had gotten so deep that it turned into unforgiveness. And in her heart, she vowed to never forgive her father for how he had treated her as a child.

How often are there things going on in our hearts that we cover over or ignore while we appear to be red shiny apples on the outside? Truth is, many people are walking around with hidden hurts and pains that don’t show on the surface: anger, bitterness, malice, ill-will. These are worms that eat away at our hearts until they become hardened and almost immovable.

One of the definitions of worm is “something that torments or devours from within.” Alicia’s worm had tormented her so much over the years that she blamed God for every wrong in her life, leaving her miserable. Until one day, she met an angel who found her just as she was about to tumble from a bridge. After he pressed her, she explained how unfair life was. God was such a rock in others’ lives, but not in hers. Her father had wronged her and she could never forgive him.

The angel explained the power of forgiveness for the person who is doing the forgiving. It’s about freeing your heart so that you can see the power of God fulfilled in your heart. It’s about breaking down barriers and walls so that your true self can be set free. “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” (Lewis B. Smedes) All the angel asked Alicia was to try.

Are you a red shiny apple with a worm eating away at your insides? Take the first step by putting that worm in the hands of Jesus. Let Him help you rid your heart of past hurts that are eating away at your life and keeping you from having the life He wants for you. His love is totally sufficient to see you through. Give Him a try.

“But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:12-14

Prayer

Jesus,

I long to be free. I long for the freedom that only You can offer, because only You  can set me free and I will be free indeed. Search my heart and know me inside and out. Remove anything that will spoil me and prevent me from being abundantly fruitful as you have called me to be. Jesus, I call upon Your name and ask this because I know that if I ask it in Your name it will be done. Give me the strength to do my part. Give me the courage to make every effort to live in my freedom. Give me the boldness to stand up against the temptation to go back to my life of bondage. I give You all the praise and the glory. Amen!


Photo by Juan C. Palacios from Pexels

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